Epicormic shoots on very small tree

MikeSwim07

Hi.

In late may, I transplanted a small northern red oak tree (about 6in at the time) from a shaded area to one in direct sun for most of the day (I later found out that spring/early summer is a bad time to transplant...). All of the leaves got a little brown in some areas and a few of the leaves shriveled. I assume this is because the tree moved from a place of little sun to pretty much sun all day. Anyways, the leaves didn't fall off or didn't get replaced with new leaves for some reason. The original tree had six leaves on it - four at the top of the stem, and 2 midway down the stem.

In mid June, four new leaves started to grow at the top of the tree(I though this might be the tree replacing its leaves, and after they grew, it would drop the older shriveled ones except that the 2 leaves midstem didn't seem to be growing new leaves). We had a pretty strong storm with high winds and all four of the new leaves fell off - the old ones stayed on. I'm almost positive that they were not eaten off because I have a cage around it on all sides and on the top. I am not sure of what animals like to eat new oak leaves (I think deer) but I am pretty sure that no animals could have got to these new leaves.

Maybe a week or so later, I noticed 4 new stems emerging from the tree. These to me seemed like epicormic shoots resulting from the 4 leaves falling off.

As I post this now, these new shoots look to be very healthy. The old original 6 leaves are still on the tree for some reason.

I read somewhere that epicormic shoots are weak and will result in a weak tree in the future.

So..I really have a few main questions.

For some reason, the part of the stem that grows apically isn't there (excuse my ignorance on tree terms). These 4 new shoots are growing from the stem but not from the apical point of the stem. Does this mean that a bud at the apical point was damaged or fell off somehow? Is this the real reason why there are epicormic shoots, not the leaves falling off?

Also, because this tree is so small (under a foot) does this mean the tree can recover from this? Can the tree still grow up to be a normal looking, sturdy, long-lived tree?

If you need more information or if you want pictures, I would be glad to post some.

Thanks!

Eric Frei

I think we need to see pictures

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MikeSwim07

Sure, here are some.

In the 3rd and last pictures, you can kind of see the dead bud at the apex(?)

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Eric Frei

Near the top two shoots are growing.

Keep the largest strongest and most vertical one, snip the other off.

Then lets wait and see how it grows and looks next year.

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MikeSwim07

So these shoots seem like normal growth, not epicormic shoots? Do you think this growth is a result of the leaves falling off in the storm?

If I snip one of the top two branches off, will the other one straighten out next year? Should this tree eventually be as strong as any other red oak?

Thanks

Here are pictures of after I snipped it off. Does it look okay?

Also, see how the stem is bent? Should I stake it or will it straighten out by itself?

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Eric Frei

Looks like you left a mini-stub. I'd have cut it like 1mm out from the stem.

At that age it's hard to tell if they are epicormics or not, and I don't think it matters a real lot as it is all sapwood.

Time will tell if it straightens or has a kink.

You can go with it and wait or replace with another decent one .... your choice. Will it ever be as good as an undamaged one? Probably not, but it wont be a terrible one either. I am no oak expert though.

Are the species usually singular trunk nice and straight (excurrent) or are they more branched and spreading (decurrent)?

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Darrell Mcleod

It is tiny

I think it will form apical dominance of its own volition over time but why not just get a new one and off you go?

MikeSwim07

I guess I could get a new one. I think I will wait a few years and see how this one does. If is doesn't look good, I will replace it.

I will also remove more of the branch, down to 1mm- I didn't want to take too much off because I didn't know how much to cut it.

I think oaks are pretty decurrent, but I actually am not really that sure. Here is a picture of another red oak I have in my yard.

Should I stake the tree because the stem is bent a little or will this not help straighten it out?

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Eric Frei

That's a decent looking tree, straight trunk up the say 3/4's height of the tree. So with your little tree it will need a nice straight strong trunk.

I'd call them excurrent by what I see, it certainly doesn't spread out like a poinciana or jacaranda.

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MikeSwim07

Hi,

So you think it is possible for this small tree to develop a strong (almost) straight trunk?

Thanks

Brent Ferris

Yes. Just let it grow, as it grows taller, the upper stem will straighten out, as long as light is above it, and 20 years later, you will likely be hard pressed to know how the little tree started out, unless you keep these pics, and add more as the years go along. As far as staking the tree - it is not necessary, and bending wood may cause stress cracks compromising the strength of the stem.

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MikeSwim07